IT IS GIVEN THAT x+a is a factor of x^3 + 4x^2+7ax + 4a. FIND THE POSSIBLE VALUES OF A.

Answer 1

a = 0, 1 or -4

divide x-1 into the cubic polynomial

then set the remainder = 0

use long or synthetic division

4a-3a^2 -a^3 =0

a(a+4)(a-1) = 0

a = 0, -4, 1